Reading Notes: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu, Part B
Notes: Drona argues for peace. But Duryodhana insists on war. Duryodhana threatens to replace Bhishma with Karna. Fighting for the Pandavas was Shikhandin, who had been born a woman but transformed into a man, a warrior destined to bring about Bhishma's death. Bhishma does not die right away, however, and instead lies on a bed of arrows, surrounded by the princes of both sides who weep for him. Before he dies, Bhishma urges Duryodhana to make peace, but Duryodhana refuses. Karna is still determined to kill Arjuna. Drona says he will do his duty, promising that either he or Arjuna would die that day. Bhima kills the war elephant, and when Drona hears that "Bhima has killed Aswathaman," he despairs, thinking his son is dead. Draupadi's brother then rides up and, seeing his own father dead on the battlefield, he kills Drona. Karna has no secret love for the Pandavas. Karna and Arjuna continue to fight, until finally Arjuna shoots the fatal arrow, and Kar...